RapidKL bus driver who went on rampage pleads guilty to abusing drugs

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — The 32-year-old RapidKL bus driver who ploughed into seven cars in the city last Thursday night is facing a jail sentence of up to two years followed by compulsory police monitoring up to three years after his release from prison.

Md Khairol Anuar Mohamad, pleaded guilty when charged with self-administration of drugs under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 in front of Magistrate Noorasyikin Sahat at the Magistrates’ Court here today.

Apart from the jail and subsequent monitoring penalty, the law also provides for an alternative fine of a maximum RM5,000 on those convicted.

Md Khairol was accused of committing the offence on August 17 at around 7.40pm, at the Dang Wangi district police narcotics investigations department office.

It is understood that Md Khairol is expected to be slapped with an additional charge for a traffic-related offence in the next few days.

The accused was unrepresented in court.

Magistrate Noorasyikin fixed bail at RM3,000 with one surety after the accused’s wife, who was the bailor, pleaded for a lower amount, citing her health problems and her husband as the sole breadwinner of their nuclear family. They have an eight-month-old child.

The wife’s name was not announced in court.

The prosecutor had earlier sought for RM7,000 in bail.

The magistrate then set September 24 set as the next court date pending the results of a urine pathology report.

A video of the RapidKL bus said to be driven by Md Khairol has spread over the internet, showing the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic and crashing into several cars while being chased by motorcyclists on August 16.

The bus finally came to a standstill after being stuck in a congested stretch along Jalan Ampang, and other video clips showed the bus driver being assaulted by a mob.